Arty the Alienhttps://artythealien.com
Words. Places. Things.Sun, 18 Feb 2018 06:58:31 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngArty the Alienhttps://artythealien.com
Books ‘n’ Breakfast: Secret Hideouts and Sci-Fihttps://artythealien.com/2018/01/04/books-n-breakfast-secret-hideouts-and-sci-fi/
https://artythealien.com/2018/01/04/books-n-breakfast-secret-hideouts-and-sci-fi/#respondThu, 04 Jan 2018 20:40:03 +0000http://artythealien.com/?p=2327Now that I’ve had more time to read non-school books and venture off campus, I thought it was time to try and re-boot the blog.

Storyville Coffee – Pike Place: This section should probably be renamed ‘Books ‘n’ Coffee’ because I’ve been to brunch maybe 3 times since moving to Seattle, but consumed many gallons of coffee. However (in case you hadn’t noticed), alliterations are my favorite literary device so… it will stay.

Despite Pike Place being a tourist-packed madhouse, Storyville is a quiet and cozy hideout away from the hustle and bustle. Comfy leather chairs, high-quality coffee, delicious food, large windows, and a beautiful view of the market. Drinks are reasonably priced, food is a little pricier but better than most coffee shops. When I visit, I make a day of it; roaming around Pike Place at off hours, reading, getting caught up on work, eating lunch, and so on. If the idea of going to Pike Place is your personal hell, they have locations spread out across the city. Check them out!

Ready Player One – Ernest Cline (385 pages): Anyone who has encountered me the past couple of weeks knows I won’t stop talking about this book; it has been a while I was so sad to finish a book. It follows the journey of a high school student, Wade Watts, in the year 2044. At this point, the world has completely gone to crap, the environment is a mess, there’s a huge wealth disparity… not too hard to imagine the world looking like this in another 25 years. Everyone spends their time in something called the OASIS. OASIS is an advanced virtual reality simulator, sort of like Second Life but more advanced and used around the world. Kids even attend school through it.

Upon his death, the creator of OASIS, an eccentric billionaire, ignites a global competition for his entire fortune and control of OASIS. The competition takes place in OASIS and is centered around 80’s pop culture and classic video and role-playing games. Wade has spent the majority of his young life obsessing over the competition, doing constant research, consuming shows, movies, and music from the 80’s, and mastering classic games. So, it’s centered around “geek culture”. Don’t have any interest in or knowledge of 80’s pop culture or gaming? or geek culture Not a problem!

One of my favorite things about the novel is that you don’t need to know this information to enjoy the book. I don’t know anything about the history of gaming or the 80’s (aside from what I learned watching ‘I Love the 80’s’ on VH1), but still tore through the book in a week. There’s action, love, coming of age story, evil corporation, dystopic science fiction – what more could you want? Still skeptical? Check out what NPR had to say.

I feel it’s worth mentioning this negative review. A long read, but in short, says that there’s too much referential information explaining the obscure 80’s and gaming components of the competition, that Cline is a narcissist for making the book all about his interests, and that the VR technology isn’t that impressive. While the review is well written, TBH I feel like this person is just a party pooper and is reading waaaaaay too deeply into the novel. For me, it was a “fun read”. I didn’t overanalyze the social commentary or mind all the referential information since it was all new information to me. Decide for yourself.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream – in the past 24 hours someone was shot on my campus during a protest, I’ve spent 16 hours in bed (3 sleeping), and spent 4+ hours marching for my American dream – I can’t think of a more relevant title.

For some, this book was a misguided bible for rebellion, introduction to drug subculture, or gateway to “beat” literature. I know I was somewhere in this mix. But, the 2 part article turned novel, fueled by drugs and mania, is Thompson’s intentional/unintentional commentary on the failed counterculture of the 60’s. How the era of free love transformed into a garish drug-fueled counterculture that was vapid and shallow. I don’t want to discount the progress made by the civil rights movement but, as many of us are starting to understand, there are always people left out of movements. I can’t help but see a parallel between the 60’s mindset that flower power could solve America’s ills, and the current trend toward political correctness and liberalism. Until Donald Trump was elected president, I thought these things could fix America too.

Now, I feel like I’m on a bad trip with Trump’s painfully sobering inauguration. As a woman, I’ve felt discriminated against and victimized, and I’d say every woman has once, if not repeatedly. So, a sexist, predator (not sure if there’s another kind?) like Donald Trump in the White House, is truly terrifying. And yet even as I type this, I hate the word ‘victimized’, I hate expressing that I’m afraid because I don’t want to look weak. I don’t want to admit that my fear for my loved ones in the LGBTQ community, of diverse backgrounds, with disabilities, who practice different religions, who are outspoken, who are nasty women, that my fear for them keeps me up at night. Now for the loathing.

Despite my upbringing, I didn’t start to understand inequity in this country until college. I remember having friends who served as the “authority” on black culture in classes because they looked the part. The idea that one person is supposed to know the feelings and beliefs of an entire group of people seems so absurd – but it happened. I’m sure I’ve been guilty of subjecting someone to something like this, but that’s a point for another time. The point is that this way of life must be exhausting. Having to constantly explain yourself or to be a representative of a group of people. Whether you’re black, gay, Muslim, explaining yourself to make the majority feel comfortable or enlightened or something.

And then there are the intricate systems of discrimination ingrained in the foundation of our country. It’s why minorities are 30% of the general population, but make up 60% of the prison population. Then there’s the violence. I can’t remember how many times I cried after the Florida night club shooting. This was one of the first times I got into my head that this is the kind of fear and sadness that my friends in the LGBTQ community face on a regular basis.

I’m angry with myself because I couldn’t understand until it was happening to me. Me, a primarily white, upper middle class, highly educated, heterosexual, cis, woman. While I’m afraid what this administration will do to my rights, it will most likely be a blip in my existence compared to the rights of others. And thus, I find myself battling fear and loathing. Wishing I had some answer, some solution. Knowing that Trump couldn’t have won just with bigotry, that there are people who have been left out for a long time, feeling like I’m part of a bigger problem that I can’t fix.

But, giving up isn’t the American way. And while I’m not sure what the American Dream is anymore, it needs to be available to everyone.

I didn’t make New Years’ resolutions, so I’ll make New Administration resolutions instead:

]]>https://artythealien.com/2017/01/22/fear-and-loathing-in-seattle/feed/0img_1693artythealienimg_1823Pizza Files: Episode 8 – A Family Affairhttps://artythealien.com/2016/11/13/pizza-files-episode-8-a-family-affair/
https://artythealien.com/2016/11/13/pizza-files-episode-8-a-family-affair/#respondSun, 13 Nov 2016 02:41:00 +0000http://artythealien.com/?p=2003I’m tired of the sound of Trump’s name coming out my mouth this week. So, on this lovely Saturday night, I wanted to think about something that can unite us all – pizza.

I’d been stalking the Yelp page for this place long before I moved to Seattle. One of the first things I did in preparing for my move was search “pizza in Seattle” and Italian Family Pizza came up. You can’t miss their page, it’s the one with pies the size of tables. The first time I dragged my mom and friend here during a visit, there was no dough left! But, to be fair, it was Friday at 9pm. So we went back Wednesday around 6pm, and got to experience these mega pizzas first-hand.

Ordered: Large meat and ricotta pie – special of the week.

Cost: $40ish (most large pies are $30).

Flavor & Taste: This is what I would call “Goldilocks” pizza, it was just the right amount of crust (not cracker crust, but not deep dish), sauce, meat, cheese, grease, and not too hot, not too cold. I was skeptical about taste because of its massive size, but you won’t be disappointed. Also, still good cold for breakfast.

Vibe: The name best evokes the vibe, it’s a neighborhood, family owned joint. No frills or über trendy decor – old school east coast style with an array of family photos through time covering the brick walls. Fitting, since the family who owns it is from the east coast, and they are the real stars of the show (next to the pizza). It’s not unusual for the staff to come over and sit with you to chat, which is unusual in a place like Seattle. They’ll make sure you have everything you need, and truly enjoy your experience.

Yelp: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Alien Classification: UFO sized, but no taste compromised

Highly recommend this place, but don’t get a large if there only 2-3 of you. The large can probably feed 6-8. Bring the crew and get down with some pizzas and brews.

]]>https://artythealien.com/2016/11/13/pizza-files-episode-8-a-family-affair/feed/0artythealienimg_0199Books ‘n’ Breakfast: Kafka and Avo-toasthttps://artythealien.com/2016/11/07/books-n-breakfast-kafka-and-avo-toast/
https://artythealien.com/2016/11/07/books-n-breakfast-kafka-and-avo-toast/#respondMon, 07 Nov 2016 05:38:50 +0000http://artythealien.com/?p=1942Mortar & Pestle – Lake View: I’m backtracking a bit with a Chicago post going, but this was one of my favorites, so I felt it was worth backtracking. My friend and I discovered it while in search of avocado toast that we were too lazy to make ourselves. In the early days there was no wait, but no good brunch spot stays hidden for long. The wait now is typically 30-45 on busy brunch days (aka the weekends). The inside is small and quaint, mostly high-tops, big open windows, speckled flatware and good coffee. While I’ve been here more numerous times, I’ve pretty much always ordered the same two things, I would happily alternate those two for breakfast for the rest of my life. The avocado toast and bircher muesli. Both are technically starters, but usually satisfied me, and only run $7 each. The avo-toast is incredibly fresh and just a little spicy, while the muesli is sweet, but not too sweet, with a great array of berries and toppings. I personally didn’t know what muesli was before I had it, it’s simply rolled oats with nuts and berries (if you’ve never had it before). They have a little something for everyone, so if you’re in town, or local, definitely stop by.

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami: I’d been recommended this book by four different people before I gave it a go. Likely received so many because of my liking for the strange, post-modern, and cats. I was reading it during our cross-country road trip (see:Road Trip Tips), and it haunted me. Not because it was scary necessarily, although there are some violent bits, but because Murakami’s writing seems to just sit in your brain. I would wonder why certain things were going on, where they were leading too, analyzing specific dialogue – and even after I finished, I still didn’t fully understand what happened, but maybe that’s the point.

The story primarily follows two characters: Kafka, a 15-year-old runaway escaping a volatile home lifeand Oedipal prophecy put upon him by his malevolent father (look at all those big words i just used). And Nakata, an elderly man who survives a strange accident as a child from which he lost his memory, ability to read and write, and most of his intelligence – but gained the ability to talk to cats. The two character’s lives intersect in unpredictable ways without ever actually crossing paths. There’s a mission to save a cat, journeys into the subconscious, murder, ghosts, love, and raining leeches. Laura Miller said it best in an early NYT Book Review: “…while anyone can tell a story that resembles a dream, it’s the rare artist, like this one, who can make us feel that we are dreaming it ourselves”. Not a beach read, but if you’re looking for something that will turn you upside down, here it is.

Stay Strange – AtA

]]>https://artythealien.com/2016/11/07/books-n-breakfast-kafka-and-avo-toast/feed/0img_7357artythealienRoad Trip Tipshttps://artythealien.com/2016/10/16/road-trip-tips/
https://artythealien.com/2016/10/16/road-trip-tips/#commentsSun, 16 Oct 2016 03:45:51 +0000http://artythealien.com/?p=1799My MBA program is in full swing and time is flying. Between classes, group projects, individual homework, job applications, networking, extracurriculars, and socializing I spend more time doing business school activities than I ever did at my full-time job. While it’s tough, I’m more engaged than I’ve been for some time, and my Seattle crew is already “lit” as the youth say. These things aside, on this stormy Seattle evening, I need a distraction. I was reflecting on my summer and some of the happiest weeks I had on a cross-country road trip with one of my besties.

As I’ve said before one of my favorite phrases is “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail” or… something to that effect. So clearly I did my best to plan every detail of the road trip. But I had never done an extensive road trip as an adult, so despite my planning, there were a lot of things I didn’t consider or that couldn’t be planned. So if you’re thinking about going on a road trip, here are the things I didn’t know that you might not know too.

Camping Reservations vs. No Reservations: My friend can tell you I was obsessed with making reservations for our trip. The fact that we were only able to make reservations at a few sites caused me immense anxiety. The first thing to be aware of is the season (obviously). We were going during the peak camping season (July-August), so the big spots like Yosemite, Zion, and Grand Canyon were booked months and months in advance. Winter and spring are considered offseason. On the bright side, these popular spots also have first-come, first-served sites. It varies from state to state, but Google “first-come first-serve camping spots [location]” and you’ll get the deets. These sites are usually cheaper than the reserved sites, but you have to get to them EARLY. They are often more remote, thus further away from stores and “attractions”. The only first-come, first-served site we weren’t able to get a spot at was in Telluride, namely because there are only two sites total (about 60 spots). So we decided to go on to Mesa Verde instead, and had a great time. Some of my favorites from our trip:

Foil is Your Friend:bring heavy-duty foil, pot for heating up water, and a skillet (maybe), you’re set as far as cooking goes. I thought I’d be making all these crazy intricate recipes I found online, but the best food we had involved fire roasted veggies and meat/fish (or hotdogs) cook in foil. Keep it simple.

Double Your Drive Time: Whatever Google Maps tells you is a lie (or any map app, not hating on Google). Though we were cruising pretty fast through most of our trip, our time on the road was ALWAYS longer than expected. There’s traffic, construction, weather, and many other factors technology can’t account for. What surprised me the most was how much time it took to drive across the state parks. It would usually take us an hour (one-way) to drive from our campsite to “town” at the Grand Canyon. And this was the case at many of our other sites, especially when we went in search of trailheads. My surprise may be due to my own naivity , but felt it was worth mentioning.

WATER:Anything written about camping, ever, stresses the importance of water. But seriously, bring all the water you can cary in your car (if you’re car camping). You’ll need it for washing dishes, drinking, bird bathes, cooking and so on. Don’t expect to be able to get all the water you need from your site.

Camp Fam

Adventures with Dogg-o:We got to bring along a 40lb lab mix for our trip, and while she was a complete angel and always put a smile on my face, National Parks are not really dog friendly. We pretty much couldn’t bring her on any of our hikes. The parks will tell you that dogs are allowed on paved paths, but… there are very few of those (at least where we went). So if you’re trying to bring your four-legged friend, this is something to consider, as well as whether your site even allows dogs.

Glamping: So, we did do an evening of glamping and were somewhat disappointed. This has nothing to do with the site we stayed at, as much as my misunderstanding of glamping. When I hear the term “glamping”, I see it as a 5 star hotel, but outside. In retrospect, I now see why this isn’t actually possible, but that’s what I was expecting. I thought there would be personal bathrooms, AC, mini fridge, bathrobes, the works. Really, it’s very comfortable beds, nicer bathrooms, fans that spray water, and like… purified water. I suppose for people who really don’t like setting up camp I can see how this would be more convenient, but aside from that I probably wouldn’t do it again.

Our trip went too quickly for my liking, I could’ve spent another week out there, but thus is the pace of life.

Stay Wild

AtA

Zion National Park
]]>https://artythealien.com/2016/10/16/road-trip-tips/feed/1img_9357artythealienimg_9546img_9249img_9212img_9392Chicago Bucket Listhttps://artythealien.com/2016/06/24/chicago-bucket-list/
https://artythealien.com/2016/06/24/chicago-bucket-list/#respondFri, 24 Jun 2016 23:44:49 +0000http://artythealien.com/?p=1416After a very long application process and excruciating waiting period, I was accepted this past February into the MBA program of my dreams, which means I’ll be moving to Seattle in two months (holly guacamole!). During my four short years in Chicago I’ve seen so many bands and landmarks, consumed pounds of hotdogs and pizza, downed buckets of beer and cocktails, and danced the night away with some of the coolest cats in town, but I now feel immensely panicked by all the things I still have yet to do. Thus, my Chicago Bucket List. Here’s the list that I’ve been working on since March. I’ll chronicle my adventures obsessively on Instagram in case you’re afraid of missing out. **Disclaimer: This is my personal Chicago Bucket List, not like.. what I think all people coming or leaving Chicago should do…. maybe I’ll make one of those once I’ve left**

Completed:

Annual St. Paddy’s River Dying: I went out once for St. Paddy’s in Chicago, just one time, and passed out by noon. A day drinker, I am not. And somehow, while I was out, I missed the river turning green. So this year I made the pilgrimage downtown, sober and alone, to see that dang green river. I was skeptical, because how cool could a vibrant green river be? A lot of rivers are naturally green. But this was definitely different. Hanging out below the Marina City towers, yelling at the rowers, watching the boats go back and forth, it felt very “Chicago”, so I loved it. Plus, prime people watching. It’s impressive how many people can manage to get drunk by 10am. While a very stereotypical Chicago activity, totally worth it.

Expat: Rosé snow cones. NEED I SAY MORE. I’ve been following them on Instagram for atleast a year and been completely obsessed with their snow cones, but was always “too
busy”. Don’t be too busy and miss out on this lovely al fresco pop up. We went around 6 on a Saturday and there were still quite a few tables open, not sure if that’s how it always is, or it was good luck, but who cares http://expatongreen.com/

Books: Rare, Medium, Well Done: This store sits unassumingly on the corner of Wellington and Clark and has probably been passed by hundreds of Lake View residents that never entered. From the outside it doesn’t exactly look like a functioning business. There are books in seemingly random placement, some on shelves, some on the window sill, books on top of books on top of other books in perilous stacks. But, the store is in fact op
en and now I’ve been. Inside, it’s as chaotic as it appears from the outside, but organized chaos (far right side is fiction and literature). Books are super cheap and if you have the time it’s fun to just hang out there and parooz. Hours (approximately) 1pm-7pm Monday-Sunday (maybe). Don’t just a book (store) by it’s cover (I’M SO FUNNY).

Mindy’s Hot Chocolate: Another place I severely loathe myself for not visiting during the polar vortex. Their hot chocolate is actually worth all the hype, and their brunch is to die for, so just go. http://hotchocolatechicago.com/

Big Joe’s Turtle Racing: I had a lot of logistic questions about turtle racing before I did it, so if you’re a turtle race “virgin”, then this is the post for you. Arrive EARLY, while the turtle races start every Friday at 9pm, the place is packed by 8:30pm. Another incentive to arrive early is the lottery system. For every drink you buy you get a certain number of tickets (like 6 or 7) and every ticket gets you closer to racing your very own turtle. There are new races every 15 (or so) minutes and they draw 5 tickets per race, and if you’re one of the lucky 5, you’re assigned a turtle. The turtles are all at the center of this large pool table under a cake cover and the turtle wrangler lifts the cover and lets the turtles go wild. If your turtle wins or gets second place… you get like a shirt and some booze.

If you’re just a spectator it can be difficult to get up close to the turtle table, there’s a lot of crowding and pushing once the turtles take off, but there’s a live video feed around the bar as well. Big Joe’s is the perfect spot to start your weekend off weird. Side note: at one point people came in to sell pieces of pizza and tamales, so don’t come completely full like I did and be super upset that everyone around you is eating pizza. https://www.thrillist.com/drink/chicago/lincoln-square/the-do-s-and-don-ts-of-turtle-racing-at-big-joe-s

Garfield Park Conservatory: I’m mad at myself for never having gone here before, I definitely could have used the plants and warmth during the polar vortex. I’ve been to a few conservatory’s in my day, but I would have to say this one is the grandest of the grand. You’ll find every different kind of climate beneath the beautiful dome of glass. While I love the city, the concrete can be suffocating, and the conservatory is a great way to “get back to nature” without having to stray far from the CTA. http://www.garfieldconservatory.org/

Navy Pier: I was a tourist in Chicago long before I was a resident, but still never made it to Navy Pier. All I’d ever heard was that there wasn’t anything to see, the food was bad, and it was hard to get there. But this past year I started seeing articles about the renovations going on and decided this would be the year to go if I were to go at all. I liked it! In spite of going Memorial Weekend when there were tourists crawling all over the city, I didn’t feel suffocated by them at the pier. The sidewalks are large, there are tons of bathrooms, plenty of seating, beautiful views, beer, and free live music! I didn’t make it to the new Ferris wheel because the line was insane (it was opening
weekend after all ), but I’ll definitely go back. The highlight of my journey was the ‘Original Rainbow Cone’ kiosk with its famous well.. rainbow cone. Would go back just for the ice cream tbh. https://navypier.com/

Milk Room: Anyone who has lived in Chicago for any amount of time has either heard of Paul McGee or had one of his masterpieces at the ever popular Three Dots and a Dash and/or Lost Lake. So when there was word that he was behind another project, there was obviously a lot of buzz behind it. A bar with only 8 seats and slim reservation windows, drinks that ranged anywhere from $20-$45 dollars, which contained some of the rarest fine liquors in Chicago, if not the world! I present to you the Milk Room, a speakeasy located in the Chicago Athletic Associate Hotel. I’ll start off by being completely honest in saying that I think the experience was somewhat lost on us due to or lack of spirits expertise and knowledge. But this also didn’t affect our experience, we had a great time, I just think someone with that background would have maybe appreciated it more.

There’s only 5 or 6 cocktails on the menu, but they are STRONG and all dramatically different and unique. We tried 4 of them, and wish I could remember their names, but as I said they were strong. The drinks aside, the ambiance alone is worth the visit. When the beautiful glass doors close behind you it feels like you’re transported to a different location entirely. There’s no noticeable trace of noise from the rowdy Game Room next door, soft blues playing in the background, soft lighting, it feel like the bar is just open and there for you. Great place for a special occasion with someone you really like to talk to.

On a final note, if you’ve never been to any of the Chicago Athletic Association’s bars or restaurants I highly recommend them all. When I return to Chicago as a tourist in the future, I fully plan on busting the bank and staying here. In the meantime, I’ll just be lounging in the library pretending to be a guest. http://www.lsdatcaa.com/

]]>https://artythealien.com/2016/06/24/chicago-bucket-list/feed/0IMG_7755artythealienIMG_7306IMG_8551IMG_7494IMG_7481IMG_7741FullSizeRenderMusic Taste is Forever: Wavves + Best Coast Reviewhttps://artythealien.com/2016/03/27/music-taste-is-forever-wavves-best-coast-review/
https://artythealien.com/2016/03/27/music-taste-is-forever-wavves-best-coast-review/#respondSun, 27 Mar 2016 23:49:41 +0000http://artythealien.com/?p=1004Music taste is a funny thing. There’s supposedly good taste, bad taste, and then there are people who don’t listen to music (which I don’t understand). “Taste” (good vs. bad) is so subjective it’s barely worth discussing. What interests me is that there are sounds we organically like and don’t like, but it seems to vary per person. I’ve always loved loud and abrasive rock, the sound of which seems to offend most of my friends and family. But I like other music too and I don’t like all rock (mostly Alt Rock/Garage Rock/Garage Punk/Indie Rock/Lo-Fi/Pop Punk/Post-Hardcore and if you want to continue reading a list of ridiculous sub genres here you go). But why?? Luckily, the internet exists so I can answer my own asinine questions. I looked up a number of articles on the subject, but this articleby Cracked says what I want so I’m going to use it even though its scientific legitimacy is questionable. Skip ahead to #2 – YOUR MUSIC PREFERENCES ARE SEALED BY ADOLESCENCE. And now my life makes sense. Refer to posts on Riot Fest for insight to my adolescence. Summary: angry suburbanite trying to be emo/xcore/punk/badass while also trying to get good grades and participate in organized sports on the dl.

Until I read this article I’d been kind of embarrassed by the very intense garage rock/pop/punk phase I’ve been going through. Obsessively listening to bands like FIDLAR, Wavves, SWMRS, and Cloud Nothings, but feeling as if it’s inappropriate for my age group or demographic (26 y.o. yuppie living in Lake View) or something. Being able to blame forces outside of my control, though, makes me less culpable and thus less embarrassed. But when you get down to it, caring about whether or not a band is “age appropriate” is moronic in itself. These thoughts really only plague me when I got to shows and see kids who I swear are 12 years old. Like, did your parents drive you here? Am I the only person of legal drinking age here? Are those braces? Why are you so mad? I’m being a little dramatic, but this was the case when I recently saw Wavves, Best Coast, and Cherry Glazerr at Thalia Hall. The great thing about live music is that once the music starts no one cares about age, gender, orientation, braces, whatever. You just watch and you are happy.

Cherry Glazerr: I came across Cherry Glazerr’s song ‘Grilled Cheese’ a few months back and was immediately smitten. I mean.. a cool song about grilled cheese? What’s not to like. While there’s something very goofy about their music, there’s also a subdued darkness to it. ‘Teenage Girl’ is a great example. The song starts off pretty real, “internalize so much but so little/don’t make us feel belittled world” and then spirals off into frivolity with a whole bunch of doo doo doo’s and ahh ahh ah’s. This isn’t by accident on singer/songwriter Clementine Creevy’s part. Speaking from my own bias, women are often put in boxes, what we should like, how we should be, and this song voices that ‘teenage girl’ box. A few different times I’ve heard their music described as “cute”, but wonder if that has more to do with young frontwoman than the music. I understand where this adjective comes from, but also think it’s a little condescending. The “cute” factor seems to comes from the fact that not all of their songs are about “serious” topics. There are songs about food, pms, pet deaths, life in LA, and the general confusion that goes with adolescence. And to the adults usually reviewing their music this isn’t legitimate content, thus cute. Adults have a history of renouncing teenage behavior/feelings (because of the hormones and all), but it doesn’t make their feelings less valid. So that’s my whole rant on that subject.

Cherry Glazerr doesn’t disappoint live. There are few things I love more than an awesome frontwoman who can play a mean guitar, always makes me wish I’d practiced mine more growing up, and Creevy is that frontwoman. At the start of their set opening up for Wavves and Best Coast there was a visible awkwardness, but by the end it was gone and their good vibes had rubbed of on the crowd. Definitely a band to keep an eye on.

Best Coast:I hadn’t heard much of Best Coast until Wavves launched their second ‘Summer is Forever’ joint tour with them (see, get the title now, aren’t I clever). Another band hailing from Cali, their music is what I’d describe as sunny pop/rock. It’s sweet and sad and reminds of spending summers in California as a kid. Dehydrated, sunburnt, and kind of light headed, but happy and carefree because you’re at the beach. ‘Feeling Okay’ off their most recent album ‘California Nights’ encapsulates this vibe the most for me. There are dark undertones, but still upbeat and catchy as hell. Once again, another band with an awesome frontwoman. Bethany Cosentino is effortlessly cool and goes from aggressively jamming out on the guitar to strutting into the crowd like a rock goddess. Best Coast is the kind of music I’d listen to if I was having a bad day and wanted shake it off, while still having a bit of a pity party.

Wavves: For the past few months I’ve listened to ‘Wavves’ almost every morning to start my day, if not for the entire day. It pumps me up, while still alloying me to be irritated and angst-y. The lo-fi brainchild of Nathan Williams out of San Diego, CA (I see a theme developing) with a similarly sunny and beach-y sound as Best Coast’s, but add a hangover and sand in your eyes. The sound is granular and dirty with big harmonies and a nice helping of misery. Content ranges from breakups and hangovers to car crashes and surfing. The most recent album ‘V’ is probably my favorite, even though it has been criticized for its lack of growth from prior albums. I’d agree that it’s a prototypical Wavves album, maybe a little bit more polished and concise than others, but as a new fan I’m not looking for growth yet so, I like it.

Live, Wavves was just as messy and abrasive as I’d hoped. Hair flailing everywhere accompanied by a lot of stuttered jumping. I spent the whole show in the balcony because I knew after a full day of work I couldn’t stand for four hours (even though I’d spent most of the day sitting.. .), but seriously regret not joining the pit for them. At some point they threw out dozens of plastic blow up beach balls and aliens, which threw the crowd into more of a frenzy. I cannot express how intensely I wanted one of those purple blow up aliens. Learned my lesson. Look forward to seeing these guys live in the future.

Take aways: music taste is (kind of) forever, empathy for teenagers is important, and being a 26 y.o. yuppie doesn’t mean I can’t get down in a moshpit like everyone else.

Arty, out.

]]>https://artythealien.com/2016/03/27/music-taste-is-forever-wavves-best-coast-review/feed/0Best CoastartythealienBooks ‘n’ Breakfast: The Favoriteshttps://artythealien.com/2016/03/21/books-n-breakfast-the-favorites/
https://artythealien.com/2016/03/21/books-n-breakfast-the-favorites/#respondMon, 21 Mar 2016 08:00:00 +0000http://artythealien.com/?p=895“Favorite” is a strong, yet overused word in my vocabulary. I’m just really enthusiastic about things I like I guess (?). Looked up the definition of “favorite” and it’s simply “apersonorthingregardedwithspecialfavororpreference”. Thus, not mutually exclusive, so I can have as many favorites as I want. So to get you’re Monday going here are a couple of this year’s favorites.

Osmium Coffee Bar – Lake View: I was super excited last year when Dark Matter opened up shop in Lake View because I usually had to trek pretty far for their beans (though well worth the trek). Recently I’ve turn into a black coffee drinker like my father (who has a meltdown when I try to put cream in his coffee, but that’s a story for another time) and what I like most about Dark Matter is that you can actually taste the different notes in their beans. So every new roast is like a new experience (sorry I couldn’t think of a less cliche way to put it). Also, they’re one of the many organizations sprouting up dedicated to transparency. I think this movement of transparent organizations is very interesting, but that the point of transparency is lost on some people. In my opinion, transparency isn’t just about knowing how your coffee was cultivated or even just feeling like a more environmentally ethical and informed human being, but I feel it’s purpose is to make you consider the way being a consumer impacts the world. Whether it be positively or negatively, environmentally or economically. I’m definitely not a prime example of someone who leads their life as such, but I’m working on it.

Anyway, back to the coffee. My favorite this past year (there I go with that word again) was Devil’s Lettuce, described as “the herbaceous earth alien of coffee”. Need I say more? Definitely a little funky, but with some nice fruity and floral notes. Dark Matter is known to experiment with the funk, and I’m into it. Osmium itself is a little small inside, but as long as you’re dedicated to hunkering down you can make it work. The small space actually forces you to engage with other people, imagine that! Once it’s warm there’s a whole back patio that doubles the seating capacity (it’s open now but.. still a little chilly). It’s light on food aside from Do-Rite Donuts (another favorite!) and other treats, but they don’t seem to mind if you bring your own snacks. The two things I enjoy most though about Osmium are the people and the music. Whoever’s behind the counter can always give you a detailed rundown of the menu, and actually help you make a choice you’ll like. They also won’t rush you even if a long line is starting to form behind you, which happens to indecisive people like myself. Now the music, always a super eclectic, and always loud, just how I like it. I’m the kind of person who likes to focus with lots of noise going on. If you’re not, this might now be your joint. One day it may be Fetty Wap and The Shins. another FKA Twigs and some death metal band I’ve never heard of. So if you like quality coffee, donuts, or loud spaces, Osmium is for you. Also, $3 for bottomless coffee, you can’t go wrong.

NW by Zadie Smith: NW was one of those books I read this year that I couldn’t stop talking about. I haven’t read anything else by Zadie Smith yet, but she has such an exact and painfully honest way of writing in NW. I found myself constantly underling sentences to return to for some kind of wisdom at a later date. “Happiness is not an absolute value. It is a state of comparison”. Like, damn. The story itself keeps you up reading until your eyes are red and bleary. Kind of like when it’s 2am on a Sunday and you realize you’ve watched 10 hours of X-Files, but better because it’s a book, so you feel less guilt because you were actually using your brain. NW follows 4 northwest London natives, Leah, Natalie, Felix, and Nathan and how all their lives ultimately intersect. All 4 characters have very different voices, and all seem to be trying to find their own way into some form adulthood, which I found very relatable. Moreover, while I believe the actual setting doesn’t exist, anyone who lives in an urban space can relate to the harsh and wonderful aspects of city life that Smith depicts. The novel starts off from Leah’s perspective in a string of narrative without defined constructs of time. It’s a bit disorienting at first, but by approximately pages 15-20 starts to make some more sense. The New York Times delves into the stylistic and political undertones of the novel, which gives it a new framework whether you’re looking to read, or already read, NW. If you’re looking for a novel to keep your brain engaged and entertained, NW should be at the top of your list.

Can you tell I’m trying to make my rantings shorter so you can actually read them? I do my best. Will now conduct a search on synonyms for “favorite”.

Happy Monday.

Now someone get me some coffee

– Arty.

]]>https://artythealien.com/2016/03/21/books-n-breakfast-the-favorites/feed/0IMG_4304artythealienPizza Files: Episode 7 – Boiler Room, Whiskey and Pizza Paradisehttps://artythealien.com/2016/02/10/pizza-files-episode-7-boiler-room-whiskey-and-pizza-paradise/
https://artythealien.com/2016/02/10/pizza-files-episode-7-boiler-room-whiskey-and-pizza-paradise/#respondWed, 10 Feb 2016 04:56:37 +0000http://artythealien.com/?p=598In honor of my most favorite day, National Pizza Day, I’ll cover one of my most favorite pizza joints in Chicago, Boiler Room. While I couldn’t partake in today’s celebration, I had a pizza potluck over the weekend which will be discussed in my next pizza file, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Boiler Room is one of my favorite places in the entirety of Chicago. I’ve been so many times I didn’t realize I’d never written about about it. My b. Warning, Boiler Room has been deemed a hipster haven, but If being a pizza-loving hipster is wrong, then I don’t wanna be right. Also, Boiler Room isn’t so much a cool pizza joint, as it’s a cool bar with good pizza; you may come for the pizza, but you’ll stay for the whiskey and PBR.

Cost: Yup, $8.50, what a deal. Can’t remember the cost of ice cream, but worth it.

Taste ‘n’ Stuff: The slices are large, so you’ll usually only need one, maybe two if it’s a hangry day. This is America after all, so the bigger the better; am I right? The taste though can be hit or miss sometimes. I would say 90% of the time the special is good, but occasionally you may get a weird combo or it may come out lukewarm, but it’s rare. Overall, they serve good ol’ big slices of greasy pizza, just the way I like.

Vibe: Fun, loud, and occasionally rowdy. The patio in the summer is the bomb diggity.

Things to Know: The first Monday of the month they have PBR bingo. Free to play and you can end up winning swag and… more PBR. Though I was the ONLY one in my group of friends not to win anything last time, I got to mooch off their swag, and it was still entertaining. Boiler Room is also cashonly. Some people get all bent out of shape about it, but if you have to take out money there, they’ll give you a shot in return for your ATM receipt.

]]>https://artythealien.com/2016/02/10/pizza-files-episode-7-boiler-room-whiskey-and-pizza-paradise/feed/0oartythealienRun to Play: Mission Completedhttps://artythealien.com/2015/11/27/run-to-play-mission-completed/
https://artythealien.com/2015/11/27/run-to-play-mission-completed/#respondFri, 27 Nov 2015 03:35:48 +0000http://artythealien.com/?p=667Well, in the past two months I’ve taken the GMAT twice, turned in 1 business school application, moved to a new apartment, raised $1,400, and run 26.2 miles. I have to write these things down in one spot to serve as a lesson in time management for myself, and for anyone else with a bad habit of putting too much on their plate. I’m somewhat notorious for this behavior, but I hit my limit this fall. While I was still able to do everything, I feel that I could have enjoyed training more if I wasn’t always so strapped for time. And would have been less of a nervous wreck (sorry family and friends). Nevertheless, without being melodramatic, the Chicago Marathon has changed my life in a number of ways.

Pride & Accomplishment: Not gonna lie, being able to say I’ve run the Chicago Marathon is a pretty cool feeling, even if it took me over 5 hours to complete. Right after the marathon I hobbled my way to brunch with the fam and received high fives and ‘congratulations’ from strangers the rest of the day. To boot, I got a nice metal with my favorite Chicago landmark, the bean. Although I may need to have a conversation with the artist behind the metal because the silver on silver isn’t doing the bean any favors. Completing a marathon had never been on my bucket list, but I’m glad I can check it off.

Running is easy!: Well kind of. Now that I’ve run 26.2 miles, short runs feel comparably easier and are actually more enjoyable. I can just do 3 or 4 mile runs on the weekend, as opposed to 10 to 12 mile runs that wipe out my entire day. Also, now that I don’t have to be concerned with pacing, I can push myself as fast as I want during a short run. That said, I’ve only gone on 5 or so runs since the marathon, so I’m not sure how long this feeling will last.

Future Marathoner: A lot of people have asked me whether I would run a full marathon again, and my answer is maybe. I say “maybe” because I never thought I would complete a full marathon, and yet here I am. I’m always open to the idea, but running the marathon was not a particularly enjoyable experience for me. Miles 1-10 were exciting and fun, especially because I got to see my family at mile marker 9, but by mile 14 the fun fell away quickly. By mile 18 I thought I was dying, by 20 I was sure I was dying. Up until mile 24 my legs felt like they were made of cement that was somehow on fire. The last two miles my adrenaline was through the roof and I felt great, but then it was over. Even though I probably won’t run a full marathon again, I’m definitely going to continue with fun runs and half marathons. For these kinds of runs I look forward to training to improve my speed and time, where as for the Chicago Marathon I was just training to stay alive.

Doing something meaningful: As I’ve reiterated in earlier posts, I think it’s important, no matter who you are or what you care about, to get involved in philanthropy any way you can. Not just for the sake of all the great nonprofits out there, and humanity in general, but for your own well being. To be part of a community that you can give back to and where you can see your impact, is worth more than a hundred metals. As part of the Urban Initiatives Chicago Marathon team, we were able raise almost $15,000 to support UI’s programming at Greene Elementary. This money will cover all of UI’s work to play costs for the entire year at Greene, which means a great group of deserving kids gets to keep playing.

I didn’t plan to write this post for Thanksgiving, but now that I have it seems fitting. While I have a lot to be thankful this year, I won’t bore you with the extended list, I’ll just give an abridged, on topic, version. I’m grateful for the friends I’ve made through UI, who supported me through my marathon training. I’m grateful that I got the opportunity to run the Chicago Marathon and that I didn’t die. I’m grateful for the kids I’ve met and played with volunteering through UI. And finally I’m thankful for the upcoming Soccer Ball!!!!! What’s Soccer Ball you ask? It’s one of the best events Urban Initiatives has. It takes place Friday January 29th at Morgan Manufacturing, a beautiful refurbished old Chicago factory. There’s drinks, dancing, fab food, and a silent auction. My favorite part is that it takes place just around the time post-holiday depression sets in, so you have something to look forward to. If you want to get involved with UI and check out the Soccer Ball, check out the links below.